Tom Crean.

by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Apr 1, 2008 9:05 PM EDT

It's going to be said often, but this is a solid hire. Not an obvious home run, but not a stretch by any means. Crean is 42 years old and has a Final Four on his resume and eight years as a head coach (about a .650 winning percentage at Marquette). The biggest knocks: a hot temper (come on, we've seen worse) and a less-than-stellar NCAA Tournament record absent Dwayne Wade. Still, IU hired a successful coach from another power conference program despite NCAA issues hanging over the program. It could have been worse.

Here's a link to Crean's Marquette bio.

He's been subject to quite a bit of well-deserved criticism, but once again, Rick Greenspan managed to hire a coach without much media coverage of the process (although certainly the Bennett pursuit was an exception).

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Great hire.

by boilerdowd on Apr 2, 2008 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

Why do you classify this hire as "not a home run"? Who would have been a hone run? I'm thrilled with this hire. I just wish he'd been more interested two years ago.

by Travis on Apr 2, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

I'll be interested in seeing how well he recruits.

by Jason266 on Apr 2, 2008 10:46 AM EDT reply actions

He'll recruit well. I think it will be interesting to see if he can talk Crawford into staying, Holloway and Ewbanks into coming, and how he'll handle Bassett and Ellis.

by Travis on Apr 2, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

I may be biased since Crean has Spartan roots, but I think this is a very good hire for IU. Established guy who's still relatively young. Most of his recent recruits have come from Illinois, which should translate to Indiana. Scares me a bit in terms of him and Izzo having more head-to-head battles for the same recruits, since they run very similar systems.

by kj (spartans weblog) on Apr 2, 2008 11:22 AM EDT reply actions

I guess I would consider a home run someone with a title--someone like Tom Izzo, Rick Pitino, etc., someone with a demonstrated, sustained record of success at the highest level. Looking back at a hastily written post from a few days ago, I think it gives the wrong impression. I'm very pleased with the hire.

by John M on Apr 6, 2008 1:23 PM EDT reply actions